Hon. Okudzeto visits scene of collapsed bridge connecting Adidome and Juapong
The Honourable Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongu constituency, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has visited the scene of the collapsed bridge connecting Adidome and Juapong to assess the damage caused.
The sad incident happened on Thursday night, 25th January 2024.
After visiting the scene, Hon. Ablakwa updated on the situation.
He writes
I was on Metro TV’s Good Morning Ghana programme today when news broke of a collapsed bridge in my beloved constituency. After the show, I promptly travelled back to North Tongu to assess the situation.
It has emerged that a trailer truck loaded with some 600 bags of salt from Ada en route to the North caused the Sayikope bridge over the Aklakpa stream to cave in.
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Highway authorities and engineers at the North Tongu District Assembly had recently queried the structural integrity of the bridge leading to a “weak bridge” classification and the imposition of weight restrictions.
It is not clear to me why the bridge was not immediately closed and fixed despite consistent appeals from locals.
Some commuters who frequently use the bridge have also indicated that they noticed a sharp deterioration of the bridge after it was affected by VRA’s spillage from the Akosombo and Kpong dams.
I call for an urgent inquiry into the circumstances and the scientific factors that caused this bridge collapse.
I also demand a thorough engineering assessment of all our bridges, particularly the bridges that were submerged by the VRA-induced floods.
This bridge disaster must serve as a wake-up call to government to carry out the much-needed recovery and restoration interventions following the spillage catastrophe.
For now, we are grateful to God that there were no fatalities. We may not be this lucky the next time.
During my visit earlier today, I donated life jackets to canoe operators who have volunteered to help my beloved constituents cross at the point of the damaged bridge.
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I have also provided funds to the volunteer boat operators so everyone, especially school kids can be ferried to and from school without any financial burden.
SOURCE: Coverghana.com.gh
